TEXT: EPHESIANS 5:22-33
A Godly family is one that lines up with biblical principles and in which each member understands and fulfills his or her God-given role. The family is not an institution designed by man but was created by God for the benefit of man and man has been given stewardship over it. Godly marriages have certain needs that must be met in order to flourish- unconditional love, intimacy, friendship and encouragement.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the first need of men and women is unconditional love. Ephesians 5:25 says “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. Jesus’ love was not a romantic mood or emotional but a choice and commitment. He did not wait till we acted lovingly toward Him but did what we needed even when our conduct was unattractive and sinful. His love for us is unconditional. The number one love need for men and women is to receive unconditional love from their spouse. Men can show unconditional love to their spouse by complimenting them, talking to and listening to her, respecting her opinion and serving her. Wives must show grace with the man’s weaknesses, take time to connect every day, build on his strengths and strengthen his weaknesses always. Another love need of men and women is intimacy.
Beloved children of God, another love need of men and women is friendship. Mathew 22:37 says “Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself”. She needs you to be her best friend. Let her vent her feelings and cry if that helps the situation. She needs your integrity and your honor. Let your YES be YES! Speak kindly, respectfully to her, not berating, belittling her if she does something that frustrates you. The man needs the wife to have realistic expectations and to be lovingly honest. He needs you to be forgiving. He may have made some HUGE mistakes early in your marriage. Debt, improper desires and although it happened years ago it’s still the source of lots of arguments. Persistent punishment or reference to past mistakes will poison your marriage.
Brethren, another love need of men and women is encouragement. God gave Adam a mate who would compliment and encourage him. Wives should encourage the husbands to be accountable, get close to other Godly men – a pastor, encourage him to connect with his children and teach them the ways of the Lord.
A Godly family must love their children and do what is best for them. This requires spending quality and quantity time with your children. Society encourages children to disregard their parents’ teachings and make their own choices. Young people often think their parents are unreasonable or do not understand. They mock, ridicule, and openly flaunt their parents. Satan prowls in homes to disable, dismantle, dismember. disengage, destroy and devour the family. Parents should develop a plan to daily teach their children about God. As you live every moment, you should be showing and sharing an example of Godliness – walking the talk.
A closing advice for my brothers in Christ, “a woman always has the last word in any argument and anything a man says after that is just the beginning of a new argument”.
PRAISE THE LORD!
